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HOSEA CHEUNG, QMI Agency

Dec 10, 2010

, Last Updated: 12:30 PM ET

VANCOUVER - In July when Markus Naslund received the phone call that the Canucks were retiring his jersey, he knew right away Dec. 11 would be a special night, one he would "remember for the rest of [his] life".

That moment will finally arrive for the Vancouver Canucks' long-time former captain.

On Saturday night, in a ceremony prior to the game between Vancouver and Tampa Bay, the Canucks will honour the Swedish great by raising his No. 19 jersey to the rafters at Rogers Arena.

The prolific winger will join Stan Smyl (No. 12) and Trevor Linden (No. 16) as the only Canucks to have their jerseys retired by the team.

While the Ornskoldsvik native's lack of playoff success remains a focal point for debate, his other achievements deserve recognition.

From anchoring the most successful line in Canucks history alongside Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi to being a dedicated member of the community, Naslund was this city's perennial superstar during the Dead Puck Era.

The soft-spoken leader's best campaign came in 2002-03 when he finished second in league scoring with 48 goals and 104 points, winning the Lester B. Pearson trophy in the process and finishing runner-up for the Hart Trophy.

Along with a plethora of Canucks records throughout his career, Naslund was named to the NHL's First All-Star Team three times, played in five All-Star games and won 17 club honours, including five Cyclone Taylor Awards as the team's most valuable player. He also led the Canucks in scoring for seven seasons (three more than Andre Boudrias and Pavel Bure, tied for second).

But one of the most lasting impression Naslund had on this team is the effect he had on proteges Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who are well on their way to surpassing his records and inevitably earning a spot in the rafters themselves.

"He treated everyone the same, it didn't matter how big he was," said Daniel about his fellow country-man's humble nature. "He was one of the biggest athletes of Sweden and in this city too."

So while his jersey retirement may remain a controversial issue, Saturday's tribute won't be about what Naslund didn't do, but rather what he did accomplish during his 12 years with the Canucks.

And for one final night as his number rises to the lights, he will once again be the biggest star in this city.